Yes, as Declan has mentioned, this is the way with most identified collectables. To offer another example, a large number of Elizabeth I coins, numbering around 3000, were studied for research purposes and for the compilation of a book (BCW). In the book they provide numbers for each type of coin studied. So, moving on, we've all read on here about the 1599 anchor sixpence being a rare mark and date, yet BCW studied 16 of them in their research collection, which is better represented than say a 1573 Eglantine, or any of the Scallops, plus many, many, more. The key thing is, known rarities tend to get identified by collectors and non collectors alike, and are subsequently kept back over the years, giving the illusion that they are more common than they really are! The mintage for the Anchor with 3 dates (try and find the other two!) is around 200,000, the Eglantine 6.5 million (over 5 dates)! Quite a difference. Good post though John, and welcome aboard!